Brake controller wiring confusion, help!

1224 Views 2 Replies 2 Participants Last post by prsrcokr, Mar 28, 2007

prsrcokr

Discussion Starter · Mar 23, 2007

I'm new here and setting up my Tacoma for towing. I have the Prodigy controller and the 7pin/4pin connector from etrailer.

The wiring for the 7 pin is supposed to be everything I need but there are no instructions. In the wiring instructions for the Prodigy controller it only show one wire from the controller to the 7 pin. The wiring kit I received has two wires that are two be run from the hitch (connector) to the engine bay. I spoke w/ etrailer and was more confused. Can someone help clarify this?

From my best take it looks like I only need one wire from the controller to the 7 pin (wire labeled 'brake' in the wiring harness) and the other would not be used even though it's run under the vehicle. Beyond that I'd need Ground from batt. to controller, +12 from batt. to controller, and switched 12 from brake pedal (stop) switch. Can anyone verify this?

Thanks for the help,
Brian

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RockyMtnRay

· #2 · Mar 25, 2007

prsrcokr said:
I'm new here and setting up my Tacoma for towing. I have the Prodigy controller and the 7pin/4pin connector from etrailer.

The wiring for the 7 pin is supposed to be everything I need but there are no instructions. In the wiring instructions for the Prodigy controller it only show one wire from the controller to the 7 pin. The wiring kit I received has two wires that are two be run from the hitch (connector) to the engine bay. I spoke w/ etrailer and was more confused. Can someone help clarify this?

From my best take it looks like I only need one wire from the controller to the 7 pin (wire labeled 'brake' in the wiring harness) and the other would not be used even though it's run under the vehicle. Beyond that I'd need Ground from batt. to controller, +12 from batt. to controller, and switched 12 from brake pedal (stop) switch. Can anyone verify this?

Thanks for the help,
Brian

Your understanding of the connections to the brake controller is correct.

WRT the "other" (non brake) wire that's in your kit's wiring harness; it's purpose is to provide a recharging current to a storage battery(ies) on the trailer (like a travel trailer's "house" battery). It is to be hooked (via a 30 fuse or breaker) to your truck's battery or alternator. If you are not pulling a trailer that has an installed battery (e.g. a utility or boat trailer), then that wire is unneeded and can be left neatly tied up near the rear of the truck. However, if there's even a slight chance you might pull a travel trailer (or popup) that does have a battery, then this is as good a time as any to hook up that wire to your truck's alternator or battery. Be sure to use a 10 GA wire and a 30 amp fuse or breaker.

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prsrcokr

Discussion Starter · #3 · Mar 28, 2007

Thanks Ray, I've run the wire along with the brake control wire to the engine bay but left it disconnected for now.

I appreciate the help.

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